On September 1, 2025, a Finnish courtroom thousands of miles from Nigeria became the unlikely stage for a verdict that has sent shockwaves through both nations. Simon Ekpa, a former Lahti city councillor, athlete, and prominent leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was sentenced by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland to six years in prison for terrorism-related crimes, aggravated tax fraud, and violating the Lawyers Act. The ruling, which follows a lengthy investigation and a 12-day trial, marks a dramatic chapter in the decades-long saga over Biafra and Nigeria’s struggle with separatist violence.
Ekpa’s conviction, as reported by BBC News, This Day, and other Nigerian outlets, was based on his activities between August 2021 and November 2024. According to court documents, Ekpa used social media to gain a “politically influential position” and played a key role in transforming the Biafra separatist movement into an organized force. The court found he not only incited the public to commit crimes for terrorist purposes but also equipped armed groups with weapons, explosives, and ammunition through his contact network. These groups were considered terrorist organizations by the court, which noted that Ekpa urged his online followers to commit crimes in Nigeria.
The charges against Ekpa were serious and multifaceted. He was found guilty of participating in the activities of a terrorist group, public incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violating the Lawyers Act by offering legal services without a license. Ekpa, who denied all accusations, was ordered to remain in custody. The main hearing ran from May 30 to June 25, 2025, and was decided by a panel of three judges, all of whom agreed on the verdict.
Ekpa’s arrest in Finland on November 21, 2024, followed a declaration by the Nigerian military that he was wanted as part of a list of nearly 100 people sought on terrorism charges. After his arrest, Nigerian authorities sought his extradition, underscoring the international ramifications of the case. As Premium Times and Leadership reported, the Nigerian government quickly welcomed the conviction, calling it a “bold step towards justice.”
Prince Lateef Fagbemi, Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, expressed the government’s satisfaction in a statement issued on September 1, 2025. “His conviction for the charges of terrorism and other related offences filed against him by the Finnish government is a confirmation that Ekpa had influenced and committed heinous crimes against the Nigerian people, especially in the South East,” Fagbemi said. He commended Finnish authorities for their cooperation in fighting insecurity, adding, “Appropriate further actions would be taken upon receipt and understudying a copy of the judgement of the court.”
Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Minister of Information, described the ruling as a watershed moment—not just for the victims of violence in Nigeria’s southeast, but for the strengthening of bilateral relations with Finland. “By upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice is served, the Finnish judiciary not only vindicates Nigeria’s consistent position on this matter, but also sends a clear signal to extremists everywhere that the world is watching, and justice will catch up with those who try to destabilize societies through terror,” Idris said. He called on those misled by Ekpa to “immediately lay down arms and embrace the path of peace.”
Ekpa’s journey to this moment is as complex as the conflict he came to symbolize. Born in Ebonyi State, southeastern Nigeria, Ekpa was once an accomplished athlete, winning silver in the triple jump at the 2003 Africa U20 Championships. His athletic prowess led him to Finland, where he later naturalized and briefly represented the country in international competitions. After a career-ending knee injury, Ekpa settled in Lahti, married a Finnish woman, and entered local politics, winning a seat on the Lahti Municipal Council as a member of the National Coalition Party.
His political trajectory shifted dramatically when he became a vocal supporter of Nnamdi Kanu, the founder of IPOB. The group, which seeks independence for Nigeria’s southeastern Biafra region, was banned as a terrorist organization by the Nigerian government in 2017. Kanu’s arrest and extradition to Nigeria in 2021 left a leadership vacuum that Ekpa quickly filled, broadcasting to IPOB supporters and later forming his own faction, “Auto Pilot,” after a falling out with other IPOB leaders.
The consequences of IPOB’s campaigns have been severe. Following Kanu’s arrest, the group enforced “sit-at-home” protests every Monday in the southeast, a tactic that disrupted economic activity and, according to SBM Intelligence, led to approximately 700 deaths and cost the Nigerian economy 7.6 trillion naira (about €4.09 billion). The roots of the Biafran struggle, however, run much deeper. The original attempt at secession in 1967 led to a brutal civil war, resulting in at least 3 million deaths before Biafra’s defeat in 1970. The scars of that conflict still shape Nigerian politics and society today.
Ekpa’s conviction is also notable for its international dimension. As Vanguard and This Day noted, the Finnish court’s willingness to prosecute crimes committed largely outside its borders, based on Ekpa’s activities in Finland, sets a precedent for cross-border accountability. The Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria emphasized the thoroughness of the investigation, noting that cases like this “take a long time to investigate” and require extensive evidence gathering.
Not everyone in Nigeria sees the verdict in the same light. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, lead counsel to IPOB, told Vanguard that the conviction serves as a “historic lesson against misguided preachings,” suggesting that the ruling should be seen as a warning to those who incite violence. However, some IPOB supporters maintain that their movement is a legitimate struggle for self-determination, rather than terrorism—a debate that continues to stir passions across the country.
Ekpa’s legal troubles extended beyond terrorism charges. The Finnish court found he had violated the Lawyers Act by offering legal services without a license, operating a law firm where his ex-wife, a licensed attorney, handled most cases. Ekpa himself admitted to having a Master of Laws degree from Aberystwyth University, but acknowledged it did not qualify him to represent clients in court.
For the Nigerian government, Ekpa’s sentencing is a vindication of its efforts to combat separatist violence and a signal to other countries that collaboration is possible. As Minister Idris put it, “The Tinubu administration remains unshakable in its resolve to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty and protect the dignity of every citizen. We will continue to mobilize every resource—diplomatic, military, and judicial—to preserve the peace, unity, and territorial integrity of our country.”
As the dust settles on this landmark case, the court’s decision has left a mark on the ongoing debate over Biafra, terrorism, and the global reach of justice. For now, Simon Ekpa remains in custody, a symbol of a struggle that continues to shape the future of Nigeria and its diaspora.
